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Opposition parties forge INDIA alliance to confront BJP-led NDA in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, vowing to safeguard Indian Constitution and combat rising violence
NEW DELHI: The battle lines for 2024 are drawn. The opposition’s I.N.D.I.A. will take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance.
On a day when both alliances hold meetings in an apparent show of strength, at two different ends of the country, 26 opposition parties from across the country have formed an alliance named I.N.D.I.A. (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The decision was made during a meeting held in Bengaluru on Tuesday, where the top leaders of these parties gathered to strategise a united approach against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
#flash Congress President Kharge announces the name of the alliance of opposition parties— I.N.D.I.A at the #OppositionMeetinginBengaluru
I- Indian
N- National
D-Developmental
I-Inclusive
A-Alliance pic.twitter.com/XOfVztjmUJ— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) July 18, 2023
The alliance aims to protect the core values of the Indian Constitution and safeguard the idea of India. Issuing a joint statement, the coalition of opposition parties stated, “We, the undersigned leaders of India’s 26 progressive parties, express our steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution. The character of our republic is being severely assaulted systematically by the BJP.”
“We are at a most crucial juncture in our nation’s history. The foundational pillars of the Indian Constitution – secular democracy, economic sovereignty, social justice and federalism – are being methodically and menacingly undermined,” they further stated.
It also emphasises the misuse of government agencies against political rivals and the neglect of the needs of non-BJP-ruled states.
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) से जुड़े 26 राजनीतिक दलों का सामूहिक संकल्प- pic.twitter.com/JsxXQBaL2s
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 18, 2023
“We are determined to combat and confront the continuing assault on the Constitution and constitutional rights of democratically elected state governments,” the opposition said.
“There is a deliberate attempt to weaken the federal structure of our polity. The role of Governors and LGs in non-BJP ruled states has exceeded all constitutional norms,” it said.
“The brazen misuse of agencies by the BJP government against political rivals is undermining our democracy. Legitimate needs, requirements and entitlements of non-BJP ruled states are being actively denied by the Centre,” it further said.
I – Indian
N – National
D – Developmental
I – Inclusive
A – AllianceTeam INDIA will win 🇮🇳
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 18, 2023
Additionally, the opposition also raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Manipur, the escalating prices of essential commodities, and the record levels of unemployment.
The alliance said that its objective is to counter the rising hatred and violence against minorities, address the increasing crimes against women, Dalits, and Adivasis, and advocate for fair representation of socially, educationally, and economically backward communities. As a first step, the alliance intends to push for the implementation of a Caste Census.
“We have come together to defeat the hatred and violence being manufactured against minorities; stop the rising crimes against women, Dalits, Adivasis and Kashmiri Pandits; demand a fair hearing for all socially, educationally and economically backward communities; and, as a first step, implement the Caste Census,” it added.
INDIA, UNITED WE STAND!
Under the banner of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, we are geared towards ensuring the peace, unity and prosperity of our people.
Together, we will safeguard democracy.#INDIA pic.twitter.com/6pzyzzljw7
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 18, 2023
“We reinforce our resolve to confront the grave economic crisis of ever-rising prices of essential commodities and record unemployment. Demonetisation brought with it untold misery to the MSME and unorganised sectors, resulting in large-scale unemployment among our youth,” the opposition coalition said.
“We oppose the reckless sale of the nation’s wealth to favoured friends. We must build a fair economy with a strong and strategic public sector as well as a competitive and flourishing private sector, in which the spirit of enterprise is fostered and given every opportunity to expand. The welfare of Kisan and Khet Mazdur should always get the highest priority,” it further added.
“We resolve to fight the systemic conspiracy by the BJP to target, persecute and suppress our fellow Indians. Their poisonous campaign of hate has led to vicious violence against all those opposed to the ruling party and its divisive ideology,” the opposition parties said.
विपक्षी एकता का नया नाम “INDIA”
I – Indian
N – National
D – Developmental
I – Inclusive
A – Alliance#JDU #NitishKumar#MahaGathbandhan#UnitedWeStand#oppositionmeeting #bengaluru pic.twitter.com/ttsk7g0aVN— Janata Dal (United) (@Jduonline) July 18, 2023
“These attacks are not only violating constitutional rights and freedoms but also eroding the basic values upon which the Republic of India is founded – Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and Justice – Political, Economic and Social. The repeated attempts by the BJP to vitiate public discourse by reinventing and rewriting Indian history are an affront to social harmony,” they said following their meeting in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that his party was not driven by the pursuit of power or the prime ministerial post. He acknowledged the differences among some party members at the state level but emphasised that these differences were not ideological and could be set aside for the sake of the people.
Kharge also highlighted the BJP’s reliance on allies to secure their electoral victory and criticized their subsequent disregard for those allies. He asserted that the opposition meeting aimed to protect the Constitution, democracy, secularism, and social justice.
I.N.D.I.A बनाम N.D.A में कौन जीतेगा, ये सवाल पूछना भी बेमानी होगा!
INDIA चक देगा!#INDIA pic.twitter.com/Lehoh2sRpd
— बिहार राजद (@RJD_BiharState) July 18, 2023
The coalition comprises 26 opposition parties that currently hold power either individually or in alliances in Delhi and 10 states. The participating parties include the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Aam Aadmi Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, Revolutionary Socialist Party, All India Forward Bloc, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (M), and Kerala Congress (Joseph).
The formation of the INDIA alliance sets the stage for a strong opposition front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With 26 parties joining forces and committing to upholding the constitutional values of India, it is expected to present a formidable challenge to the ruling NDA alliance.
